The Labour party plans a mass nationalisation programme if it gets into government but in an article reported in the media today the Confederation of British Industry estimates the cost of Labour's renationalisation plans to be £196 billion. These estimates only include nationalisation at Labours party conference under the guise of a climate motion, it was proposed that the Labour party would in government buy equity stakes in Car Manufacturers (a further £3 billion) and in a 51% stake in an Off-Shore wind public-private partnership, in order to deliver Off-Shore Wind turbines that the private sector could deliver more effectively.

Despite responding favourably when contacted about environmental matters Maggie Throup MP for Erewash scored 0% on her environmental voting record in a Guardian study. Pauline Latham (Mid-Derbyshire MP) faired slightly better scoring a 17% rating. The study looked at the voting records of all MPs since October 2008. The majority of Tory MPs scored below 33% but the top ranked conservative managed twice this rating (Zac Goldsmith, 67%). A typical Lib Dem MPs were on around 50% with the highest ranked being Sir Alasdair Carmichael on 71%.

At the last meeting of Erewash Borough Council (10 October) a policy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 was adopted, declaring that they would support the transition away from petrol and diesel cars, encourage tree-planting, and use planning powers to make new homes more efficient.

But the one Liberal Democrat on the council, Robert Mee (West Hallam and Dale Abbey), in his first speech since being elected in May, called the motion "half-hearted", and blasted the policy for including no firm commitments. Supporting a Labour amendment, which was defeated, Councillor Mee demanded radical action to achieve zero carbon emissions across the borough by 2030, accusing the Conservative controlled council of "tootling along until 2050, hoping that the government will sort it all out for us". He added, "If we don't all do something, the human race is on its way out, and there's little point us saving money for the future if we haven't got a future".

It has been a very hectic last two weeks for me, I attended my candidate assessment, received confirmation that I had passed and have been appointed as Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for Erewash, and then it was off to Bournemouth by train for the autumn conference for my first time at conference.

Dr Phillip Lee defected to the Liberal Democrats today, ahead of crucial votes to try to prevent a damaging No Deal Brexit. The MP for Bracknell in Berkshire cited the transformation of the party into a "narrow faction, where the measure of an individual's conservatism is measured by how recklessly they wish to leave the European Union." in his scathing resignation letter. He also described the party as "infected with the twin diseases of populism and English nationalism."

Boris Johnson has suffered a major blow after the Tories were beaten by the Liberal Democrats in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election on 1st August. This cuts the Tory majority in Parliament to just one.

Party leader, Jo Swinson said, "Boris Johnson's shrinking majority makes it clear that he has no mandate to crash us out of the EU. As leader of the Liberal Democrats, I will do whatever it takes to stop Brexit and offer an alternative, positive vision for a richer, greener and safer future. Britain demands better than what the tired old parties can give."

The Liberal Democrats have today published a comprehensive blueprint for replacing the broken business rates system. This would cut business rates for some retaillers by 20% and has the potential to benefit businesses in Ilkeston and Long Eaton town centres as well as across the rest of the borough.

If you enter your details on this website, The Liberal Democrats will use your contact details to send you information on the topics you have requested. Any data we gather will be used in
accordance with our privacy policy at erewashlibdems.org.uk/en/privacy. To exercise
your legal data rights, email: data.protection@libdems.org.uk.